In what could be a confusing orthopedic world, EmergeOrtho’s Blue Ridge Division has developed and refined a simpler approach to healthcare, one that’s both comprehensive and specialized enough to take on most musculoskeletal (MSK) challenge that may come through the door.
Like any good organization, it all starts with the staff, said CEO of the Blue Ridge Division Stefan Magura.
“What I hear everyday at the clinic is people talking as friends and neighbors. We really care about taking care of people. Doing the right things in the right way at the right time is at the forefront of everything we do,” Magura said.
The Blue Ridge Division, which is made up of four clinics in the Asheville metro, has a total of 21 doctors, 17 of whom are fellowship-trained orthopedists with expertise on a detailed element of the body. Blue Ridge has the highest number of fellowship-trained surgeons in the region, and all its doctors are board-certified or board-eligible, meaning they are trained to provide and devoted to the highest possible standard of advanced orthopedic assessments and treatments.
“We have hand-elbow-shoulder experts, spine, sports medicine, hip and knee, foot and ankle,” Magura said. “We are quite confident that through this system patients will receive the most economical, efficient, and effective care for the vast majority of musculoskeletal issue they may be dealing with.”
Since 1987, the Blue Ridge Division (formerly known as Blue Ridge Bone and Joint) has served Western North Carolina. Three out of its four clinics, located in Asheville proper, South Asheville, and Hendersonville offer urgent care that’s equipped to handle the vast majority of MSK situations.
“Only about a little more than 10% of folks that we see actually end up needing surgery. So many things can be solved with splinting, casting, injections, or physical therapy,” explained Magura. “We think folks should consider using a more direct alternative for care then emergency rooms, primary care physicians, urgent cares, because folks will be greatly served working with MSK experts who know what kind of diagnostic care needs to be offered to the patient.”
Blue Ridge Division’s on-site services include digital X-ray, MRI, durable medical equipment (DME), electromyography (EMG), occupational therapy, Orthopedic Urgent Care, physical therapy, and workers’ compensation.
“If the patient does need a procedure performed, then our primary care sports medicine fellowship-trained doctors can refer those patients to their partner Blue Ridge Division doctors and surgeons who are also fellowship-trained experts in their area of practice,” Magura said.
A more recent addition to Blue Ridge’s legacy is its 2016 merger with Ortho Wilmington, Triangle Orthopedic Associates, and Carolina Orthopedic Specialists.
“This transformed Blue Ridge from a corporation of 21 doctors and 161 people to becoming a division of EmergeOrtho, which was 135 doctors and 1,400 people,” said Magura.
At the beginning of 2019, Greensborough also merged with Emerge Ortho, which brought its total network of providers to 148 doctors and about an estimated 1,750 employees.
Spanning 51 offices and 25 counties from the mountains to the coast, the EmergeOrtho network offers clients the convenience of care from most anywhere in the state, and the ability to easily tap into a vast network of experts skilled in diverse subspecialties.
“Imagine the significant healthcare experience–both from a clinical as well as customer service perspective–that five successful orthopedic practices with 148 doctors and 1,750 employees can bring to folks,” Magura said. “It’s been a real pleasure realizing this outcome for our community.”